Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
M: Take for example the questions of rebirth and reincarnation. In this manifest play of the five elements, there is no entity as such, no individual or personality. Out of the five-elemental play, when the quintessence of that play in the form of the food essence appeared in a certain form, the moment is there, that is the normal ignorant personality.
So long as that food essence body is available with that vital breath, the life force is there. That is the birth. When the body is not available, we call it death. Then again a rebirth! Rebirth of what? Of the five-elemental play! There is no birth of a certain personality, of this or that fellow. The question does not even arise.
V: When the body does, it means there is no pain after death of the body.
M: What do you mean by death of the body? Does the body die? Can this die? [again referring to his cigarette lighter]?
V: But that is not a living this!
M: If you make a flame, it is full of life and fire. When the vital breath quits the body, this quality of I am ness also disappears. That is where the air becomes manifest, it merges with the universal air. This I am ness, the consciousness, also merges with the universal consciousness. In that state, there is no knowingness and the body becomes one with the five elements. Where is the death? When the flame is extinguished, would you call it death? In other words, when this is completely consumed, is it not death? You may call it death also.
M: Take for example the questions of rebirth and reincarnation. In this manifest play of the five elements, there is no entity as such, no individual or personality. Out of the five-elemental play, when the quintessence of that play in the form of the food essence appeared in a certain form, the moment is there, that is the normal ignorant personality.
So long as that food essence body is available with that vital breath, the life force is there. That is the birth. When the body is not available, we call it death. Then again a rebirth! Rebirth of what? Of the five-elemental play! There is no birth of a certain personality, of this or that fellow. The question does not even arise.
V: When the body does, it means there is no pain after death of the body.
M: What do you mean by death of the body? Does the body die? Can this die? [again referring to his cigarette lighter]?
V: But that is not a living this!
M: If you make a flame, it is full of life and fire. When the vital breath quits the body, this quality of I am ness also disappears. That is where the air becomes manifest, it merges with the universal air. This I am ness, the consciousness, also merges with the universal consciousness. In that state, there is no knowingness and the body becomes one with the five elements. Where is the death? When the flame is extinguished, would you call it death? In other words, when this is completely consumed, is it not death? You may call it death also.
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